Keeping Pest Out of Your Boat

Pests like spiders, rats, mice, insects, and even larger animals such as raccoons can infest your boat. Not only can this make it more difficult to enjoy your boating trip, but these pests can even damage your boat. Luckily, this guide from Bob Hewes has some tips on how to keep pests out of your boat.

A Thorough Clean

Many types of pest use loose material like trash and debris to make their nests. That’s why simply keeping your boat as clean as possible can go a long way towards keeping your vessel pest free. Regular cleanings will also remove things like loose crumbs and spills from your boat. Many pests have a highly acute sense of smell, so even food smells too faint to be detected by people can attract them. Activities such as fishing and grilling can also leave behind the smell of food, so be sure to clean your vessel after you enjoy such activities. 

Use Scented Deterrents

Scent can attract pests to your vessel, but it can also be used to keep them away. Many boat owners apply a mixture of cayenne pepper and ammonia to the edge of their vessels. This mixture is fairly safe as long you keep it out of your eyes. Be sure to reapply the mixture at least once a month. 

If you’d rather not deal with having to mix chemicals together, mothballs are another good way to keep pests out of your boat. Mothballs can be stored in your boat’s compartments, hung in sheets of fabric near the edges, or stuffed into tubes and hung around your vessel. Heavily scented soaps or dryer sheets are effective at deterring larger animals such as racoons and otters. 

Ultrasonic Sound Devices

Ultrasonic devices are a non-lethal, chemical free way to make sure that pests give your boat plenty of distance. Even better, these devices operate at frequencies beyond human hearing, meaning that they won’t disturb you or your passengers. Look for a solar-powered ultrasonic device so that you don’t have to worry about battery changes. 

Covers

Pests love to use boats in storage as a shelter, especially during the winter. Luckily, a good boat cover will keep them out. Just make sure that you are inspecting the boat’s cover at least once a month. Pest animals are very good at squeezing their way into tiny openings, and a cover that only partially covers your boat can’t do its job. 

Shop boats at Bob Hewes Boats. We have three locations in North Miami, Florida, as well as one location in Pompano Beach, Florida. We also offer service, parts, and financing. We’re proud to serve communities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.